AshleySGoodbye and Hello from Team JPG

September 3rd, 2010 by AshleyS

We may love what we do here at JPG Photography, but don’t say that we’re all work and no play! Recently, our staff went out to celebrate not once but twice.  The reason? A changing of the guard.  First, we had to say goodbye to our trusty business intern David, who tackled our paperwork with a smirk and a laugh. He enters his senior year at Eastern University this fall, where Rebecca teaches English; he will be completing a major in Entrepreneurial Studies.  To thank him for all his hard work, we made an appearance at my new favorite Philly restaurant, Fogo de Chao.  It turns out we all love to eat, and this establishment had plenty of mouth watering items to satisfy our big appetites. Fogo de Chao is home to an elaborate salad station and an endless procession of first class meats. It was truly a fitting farewell, a memorable feast for an even more memorable guy.  We’ll miss you!

At the same time, we are lucky enough to welcome our newest team member, Corinne! She came to us from Drexel University, where she’s working on a degree in Photography.  She’s a machine in the office, and awesome with a camera in her hand.  We took the afternoon off one day and ventured outside our normal Philly haunts to give her a proper induction at Shady Maple Smorgasbord in Lancaster County.  She proved that she was one of the team by jumping right into our favorite activity-eating.  And did we eat!  Sarah could barely make it out to the car. They had shoofly pie, apple turnovers and whoopie pies, oh my! We’re thrilled to have her join our family.

As we say goodbye to one, we must also say hello!  Cheers, Team JPG.

Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,
Posted in AshleyS | No Comments »

JoeFun Beach Wedding at the Jersey Shore for Natalie and John

September 1st, 2010 by Joe

Every Philadelphia photojournalist knows that if you’re a Philadelphian, you’ve got to love the Jersey Shore…and I’m not talking about the TV show! While we love hanging out in the City of Brotherly Love, our Philadelphia photography team also likes heading to the beach. I started JPG Photography while living in Virginia Beach, so I’m used to the sun and the sand. But the Jersey Shore offers its own unique character, which Natalie and John were happy to discover during their beautiful May wedding.

We met the bridal party and family the night before during Natalie and John’s rehearsal dinner at the Avalon Country Club. We could already tell that this was a rambunctious bunch of family and friends. Natalie, taking her cue from Oprah, presented her bridesmaids with “Natalie’s Favorite Things,” a variety of gifts tailored to each friend’s personality. From personalized bottles of wine to hand-selected jewelry, her gifts were a big hit! John’s “Favorite Things” involved ties for the guys, which were also a snazzy success.

The wedding day started bright and early but the bridesmaids were all ready to go with jokes and hugs. The guys hung out on their balcony, drinking beers and enjoying the weather. The girls huddled up for a group hug before sending Natalie off to meet her groom for the first time that day. Natalie had to walk through the pool area in full wedding garb, and the sunbathers offered up their congrats.

After a few private moments walking along the dunes, Natalie and John headed to their beach ceremony. One of our favorite videographers, Derek Dienner of Lavon Films, was set up and ready to capture some great candid moments with us. Their wedding was held in the sunshine with waves gently crashing in the background. Idyllic.

The reception, held at the Golden Inn, was also a success. JPG Photography saw probably the most creative bridal party entrance yet. One groomsman entered riding a bike with a bridesmaid hanging on the back for dear life! Another pair rolled in on a luggage cart, and another guy just picked up his bridesmaid and carried her in. Everyone had a blast through hours of food and fun.

Because Natalie and John have a lot of memories in the beach, we thought it would be fun to do a night shoot on the boardwalk at Wildwood. Natalie and John showed up in their full wedding attire, and were welcomed with celebrity-style whistles, congratulations, and cheering. About 15 random girls asked to have their pictures taken with the happy couple. Natalie and John did everything from skee ball to money machines to snake-handling! These are definitely some of our favorite couple pictures of the year because they embody the couple’s personality and provided some incredibly non-traditional, creative backgrounds. I love, for instance, the shot of the two of them sharing a slice of pizza next to a sign that says “Oceanfront Dining.”

It’s great to have a couple who is not afraid to celebrate their love out in the open and have a sense of humor while doing it. Natalie and John, we wish you many years of memories at the shore and beyond. Thanks for inviting JPG Photography to capture these special moments.

Best,
Joe G

The full event can be found on pictage.

Natalie-John Wedding, May 22, 2010, JPG Photography from Joseph Gidjunis on Vimeo.

Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,
Posted in Uncategorized | No Comments »

JoeFestive Philly Wedding at Devine Mercy Parish for Staci and Jeff

September 1st, 2010 by Joe

This Philadelphia photojournalist would love to never have to do another cookie cutter wedding in his life, and Staci and Jeff made sure that was definitely the case.  With an awesome combination of Irish and Kenyan traditions, this couple made their wedding day their
own.

The day started off ordinarily enough with Staci getting ready at the Courtyard by Marriott. Staci looked stunning in her gown from Stella Maris Bridal. The rest of the wedding party looked lovely as well in their dresses from David’s Bridal and flowers from the William Didden Flower Shop. It was quite a fun beginning, with the wedding party toasting Miller Lights and one bridesmaid musing about whether or not she could pad her chest with the cardboard that came with her dress.  (Yes, at JPG we’ve heard it all!)

But as soon as Staci left the hotel room, it was clear that this was no ordinary day.  A crowd of Kenyan women surrounded the beautiful bride and sang her out to the limo bus — yes, SANG her out! — laying down traditional Kenyan rugs along the way.  There were hands waving in the air and joyful ululating.  Quite an enthusiastic way to start
the day!

The Catholic ceremony was held in a beautiful old stone church, Divine Mercy Parish.  During the ceremony, Jeff’s mom said a few touching words, and everyone became emotional.  It was clear how important family is to this couple.  At the conclusion of the ceremony, Staci said something in Swahili, to much applause and cheer.  The Kenyan women then sang the newly married couple out of the ceremony as well.

But the energy didn’t stop there.  Staci and Jeff’s reception at the Oaks Ballroom offered yet another opportunity for the bride and groom to celebrate one another’s families and cultures.  Staci set the tone for the evening by entering the ballroom in her sunglasses and immediately breaking it down on the dance floor with Jeff and the Kenyan ladies.  After first dances, a team of Irish step dancers wowed everyone with their costumes and coordination.  Then, Staci’s college friends took over the dance floor and continued the party.  The groomsmen were not far behind and busted some moves until the end of the evening.

After some awesome cake-smashing with a delicious cake from DoughMain Baked Goods, Staci and Jeff were invited to the middle of the ballroom floor where the Kenyan women gathered around them and gave them gifts.  There were some fantastic traditional gifts from artwork to blankets, brooms, and hats.  Staci was deemed “a good Kenyan wife” and officially accepted into the family.

With love that brings together families and cultures, Staci and Jeff have a relationship that is sure to last.  May you two continue to celebrate one another in good times and in bad, in sickness and in health, in Kenyan dancing and Irish step dancing…  Thanks for rocking it out with JPG!

Best,
Joe G

The full event can be found on pictage.

Staci-Jeff Wedding, May 15, 2010, JPG Photography from Joseph Gidjunis on Vimeo.

Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,
Posted in Uncategorized | No Comments »

« Older Entries